Gypsy Legacy: The Duke: Book 2 in the Gypsy Legacy Series Read online

  He and his brother had been kidnapped as children. Small and ailing, his brother died within days, but Brand was sent to a plantation in the Caribbean as a bondslave. He might not have endured, but just before he was put on the ship a gypsy approached him on the beach and told him he would someday return. His memory of his childhood, including his own name, was lost amid the work and abuse he suffered, but her words remained.

  Someday you will return to your father’s side.

  Now, it was time. He’d briefly been in England three years ago and hired a detective to find out who he was. The knowledge stunned him, but the name had been the beginning of the return of his memory. Bit by bit over the last three years, pieces of memory returned and he now had a clearer picture of who he had been. And who he should be.

  “Then I suppose I ought to take his advice and do just that.”

  A knock on the door interrupted the conversation. A clerk entered to inform them the Earl of Wynton was outside to see the captain. Surprised, Brand told the clerk to show him in.

  Rising to his feet, Brand eagerly greeted his partner’s brother-in-law. “Jon! It’s good to see you again. How’d you know I was here?”

  “I’ve had a man watching the docks for almost a month now. He was to inform me as soon as the Gypsy Star docked. I came straight here when I got the word this morning. Jay thought you might need help and I promised to lend whatever assistance was necessary once you returned.”

  Brand nodded. “Good. I could use a friend. I suppose I’m finished here for now, Percy. I will keep in touch.”

  Once in the Earl’s coach, Brand looked down at his shirt, breeches and boots. “I suppose a new wardrobe will be in order.” He stated the obvious. “But I’ve always hated dressing up.”

  The earl grinned, unrepentant. “If you plan to take your rightful place, you have little choice.”

  Brand stared out the small window, watching the traffic and buildings pass by. After a while, he spoke. “So, how’s my father?”

  “Not well, according to the rumors. Your stepmother has taken him back to the ducal seat. The word about town is the doctors have given him very little time, but he is stubbornly holding on in the hope you will return. If the gossip mill is to be believed, so are many others.”

  That surprised him. “Why would anyone care whether I returned or not?”

  “Because your dear stepmother has declared the letter your father received three years ago was nothing more than a hoax—and a cruel one at that. She insists Edward should be the Marquess of Lofton, yet your father stubbornly refuses to allow him to use the title.”

  “I see. So, the gossip mill is anxiously awaiting my stepmother to be proved wrong and her darling Edward to become a mere second son?” The earl nodded. “And what does Edward think of all this?”

  “Actually, Edward is anxiously waiting for you to return too.”

  Brand straightened, giving the earl his full attention. “Why?”

  “So he can finally get out from under his mother’s thumb. She has kept that poor boy on a short rein for most of his life and he is beginning to chomp at the bit. If you show up, he’s off the hook.”

  “I would have thought being the heir to a dukedom would compensate for an overbearing mother.”

  The earl shook his head. “Edward’s a good man, and he has stuck around because of your father, but I suspect if he inherited the title, he would be an absentee landholder. According to my sister, he would dearly love a commission.”

  “Your sister?”

  “Felicia.” The earl smiled. “She’s in her second Season now. Jay and Tina brought her out last year, but this year I was left to watch over her. Thankfully the Duchess of Westover is officially sponsoring her, but I’m required to make an appearance now and again.”

  “You have my sympathy.”

  The earl’s smile became a grin. “Save that sympathy for yourself. Felicia is stubborn, headstrong and has a mind of her own, but she makes the Season bearable—and she keeps the marriage-mart mamas and their daughters at bay for me.”

  Brand was curious. He’d met his partner’s wife and she was a beauty. If her sister even remotely resembled her, she ought to be tripping over proposals right and left. “Hasn’t she had any offers?”

  “She’s had her share of proposals, but none have appealed to her. And neither Jay nor I would force her to wed unless we felt it was in her best interests.”

  Reaching the earl’s home, they retired to the library to discuss and create a plan of action. Brand needed not only a complete new wardrobe, but also to see his father without anyone else being aware of his presence. He might be the Marquess of Lofton, but without his father’s acknowledgment, it was highly unlikely anyone would accept his word for it. As the earl noted, it was fortuitous the duchess had removed the duke from London. He could easily travel to the ducal seat for a reunion without the gossips intruding.

  “I don’t know how my stepmother did it, but I’m sure she was behind the kidnapping. It couldn’t have been too hard to hire someone to do the job when she was conveniently away.” They were settled in comfortable chairs, each sipping a drink. Light spilled into the room from two large windows behind Brand. “The trick was she had to arrange it so she had Edward with her when Michael and I disappeared.”

  The earl shook his head. “It doesn’t make sense to me. If she wanted Edward to inherit, why didn’t the men just kill both of you? Then she would have been sure of it.”

  Brand grimaced and shifted in his chair. “I’ve wondered about that too. Just last month another piece of my memory dropped into place.” He took a large swallow of whiskey, feeling the liquid burn its way to his stomach. “When I was on the beach, just before they put Michael and me on the ship, I overheard some of the men laughing about being paid twice for one job.”

  The earl’s eyebrows rose. “You don’t think she paid them to kill you, but they decided on their own to sell you to slavers?”

  Brand nodded. “I’m sure it’s happened before. It’s difficult to trust a job is done right unless you do it yourself.” He drained the glass and set it down on the table beside him. “I’m sure they never expected I might return. I suppose I should be thankful for their greed. Without it, she would have succeeded.”

  “If there was a bright side to any of this—that may well be it.”

  “According to the letter Jay left me, she has apparently denied time and time again that I could possibly be alive. I would think unless she knew there was absolutely no possibility, she might have some hope—for my father’s sake. The fact that she seems to continue to insist I’m not points to her guilt as far as I’m concerned, especially in light of the letter I sent three years ago.”

  “You may be right, but if I could make a suggestion. Be cautious. There are others involved who may be hurt by the revelations. This might be…”

  The door to the library burst open and a woman breezed in. “Jon, I need your help.”

  Dressed in a daffodil-yellow walking dress adorned with blue ribbon, the vision brought with her sunshine and a breath of fresh air. Brand had no doubt this was the stubborn, headstrong, with-a-mind-of-her-own sister.

  “Felicia!” Jon surged to his feet. “How many times must I tell you not to barge in without being announced?”

  “Why should Higgins announce me? You’re not doing anything I shouldn’t see. At least, not in the library, I hope.” Her smile was more potent than the whiskey he’d just finished.

  Jon sighed, his frustration nearly tangible.

  “Besides, I need your help. It’s Davey.”

  Crossing the expanse of wine red carpet, she seated herself on one of the sofas and folded her hands primly in her lap.

  “What about him?”

  “He’s been injured. I sent a footman with a message to Thane Park to find out what was wrong, but he brought Davey back to Town. I can’t keep him at Westover House, so I need you to take him in until I decide what to do with him.”

  Either Jon had forgotten him, which Brand doubted, or he’d chosen not to make introductions. Brand suspected the latter, so he merely continued to observe the interaction between the siblings.

  The Earl’s eyebrows furrowed. “Injured? How?”

  “At the moment, he has a broken arm. Some of the boys in the village set upon him. I know Ella would protect him if she could, but she and Daisy aren’t enough and Ella’s husband would be just as happy if he weren’t there. I need to find someplace else for him to go.”

  Felicia was counting on her brother. He had always been there for her and she knew he’d know what to do.

  She had been stunned when the footman, Henry, showed up at Westover House last evening with Davey in tow. She hadn’t asked him to bring the boy to her—she just wanted to know how he fared. One look at Davey, however, and she knew sending him back to Thane Park was out of the question.

  The inhabitants of Parkton, the village on the edge of Thane Park, never forgot that the cook’s oldest granddaughter, Ella, had given birth to a bastard at age seventeen. Unfortunately, they didn’t know that the child had been the product of a rape by Felicia’s oldest brother, Aaron, then Viscount Collings. Aaron had been killed not long afterwards, but once Ella married the blacksmith’s son and he refused to take Davey in, the boy became the target of all manner of taunts and cruelties. Left with Ella’s mother, Daisy tried to protect him from the slurs and name-calling, but she was little protection.

  Through correspondence with the housekeeper at Thane Park she learned Davey had been injured, and sent a footman down to find out what happened. When he showed up last night with Davey, she had been shocked. Although the bruises had begun to fade, she could tell there had been many over time. But, worst of all, his arm was horribly swollen and bruised.

  Summoning a physician to attend him, she’d allowed Davey to stay the night with Henry in the Westover nursery, but she knew he couldn’t stay there. Trying to decide what to do with him was difficult. She knew she couldn’t send him back to Thane Park, but she also understood if she kept him with her and it got out many would speculate as to his identity and the speculation would drag her reputation through the mud. Something she could ill afford. Jon was her best hope for now.

  Movement on the edge of her vision made her suddenly aware of another presence in the room. Turning, she found herself looking at the most handsome man she’d ever seen. Wide-spaced violet eyes under dark blond brows, high, defined cheekbones creating angles and planes, a sharp patrician nose over a full-lipped mobile mouth and a dimpled chin melded to create an arresting face. Skimming over his loose-fitting shirt, buff-colored thigh-hugging breeches and knee-high boots, she felt the blood rise in her cheeks as she realized he watched her with the same curiosity she extended to him. If he’d been sporting an eye patch, she would have thought him a pirate.

  Jon made the introductions, and she was immediately aware of the differences between the two men. Jon’s coal black hair was, like hers, inherited from their mother, his emerald green eyes from his father.

  “Felicia, may I introduce Jay’s partner, Brand. His ship just docked this morning.”

  Brand rose to his feet with an agility that belied his size. Felicia was used to looking up at Jon, but Brand seemed to tower over him. She rose to her feet as well, partly so as not to feel so small. There were times, like now, when she cursed her size. Her head just reached Brand’s chin but she refused to be cowed. The dark blond hair hanging over his collar put her in mind of a lion’s mane and she sensed the power he kept firmly leashed.

  “I’m sorry, Jon,” she said, still staring openly at Brand. Then, realizing she was being rude, smiled and held out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. er…” she stumbled over his name.

  Brand was instantly mesmerized by the blue-eyed, ebony-haired siren standing before him. All of his senses kicked in when she first entered the room and her soft yet husky voice drew him in. Then she smiled and held out her hand. For a moment, he forgot where he was. Taking the proffered hand, he bowed over it and raised it to his lips.

  “Just Brand,” he replied smoothly. “And the pleasure is all mine, my lady.” Her hand was warm and soft, sending a spark right through him, and causing his heartbeat to double. It was suddenly warm in the room where a short time before he had been comfortable. His breeches were suddenly tighter and he could feel the blood rush into his nether regions as his body reacted to her touch.

  “Brand.” Hearing his name on her lips caused his blood to heat.

  “Shall I order you some refreshment, Felicia?” The earl’s voice brought Brand back to himself with a vengeance.

  She turned to reply and the contact was broken. Brand let out a breath he didn’t realize he held and watched her move back to the sofa and seat herself. Hell. What was he doing staring at her like an untried schoolboy? What had come over him? He shook his head as he resumed his seat, moving the chair slightly so he could watch her better.

  She turned suddenly as Jon moved to the door and pinned him with deep blue orbs.

  “Did Jon tell you Jay and Tina are in Italy?”

  “Yes, but it’s unimportant, for now. So, who is Davey?”

  A delicate shade of pink colored her cheeks and she dropped her eyes to her lap. “He’s…uh…just one of the boys from the village near Thane Park.”

  Brand watched her twist her hands together in agitation. Obviously a family situation. Perhaps he should leave her and her brother to sort out Davey’s fate. Because she came to the earl for help, he wondered if he wasn’t eavesdropping on a private matter, but his curiosity was aroused. Having just made her acquaintance, he was intrigued enough to want to know more.

  Jon returned and reclaimed his chair across from Brand.

  “Perhaps we should forget the refreshments, and I should leave you two to continue whatever I interrupted,” Felicia said to Jon with a glance in Brand’s general direction.

  “It’s a little late for that. And what do you propose to do about Davey?”

  “I will send him to you and you can decide. I would like, eventually, to send him to Journey’s End.”

  This obviously surprised Jon. “Why would you do that? He’s what? Eight, nine years old? Why would you want to send him there?”

  Felicia’s posture became rigid and Brand read defiance in every line as she answered her brother. “He’s nine. And I won’t send him alone, if that’s what you think. But since I eventually plan to give him the property, I thought it might be nice for him to grow up there.”

  Jon looked at her closely for a few moments. “And when were you going to tell Jay about this decision?”

  Felicia shrugged. “Someday, I suppose.”

  Jon grimaced as Higgins entered with a tray. Setting it on a low table beside Felicia, he inquired if Jon needed anything else.

  “No, that will be all for now.” Felicia also thanked the butler and helped herself to a small scone.

  Brand watched Felicia nibble at the delicate pastry, his wayward thoughts imagining other uses for the enticing pink tongue he glimpsed. Get a grip on yourself, his conscience admonished. Perhaps now would be a good time to make his escape, but Jon’s next words piqued his curiosity further.

  “I suppose your future husband might have a say in the matter?”

  She shrugged one slim shoulder, but did not answer him directly. Instead, she returned to her previous question.

  “So, will you take Davey in until I make arrangements to travel to Journey’s End?”

  “Felicia, I’m a bachelor. What am I supposed to do with a nine-year-old boy?”

  “It’s only for a few days. I can make arrangements to leave by week’s end.”

  “What?” Jon sat up straighter and turned narrowed eyes in her direction. “And just how do you think you’ll get to this place?”

  “I’ll take Jay’s traveling coach. It’s here in London at Thane House.” The glibness with which she answered seemed to indicate she’d thought about it for some time.

  “I see. And were you planning on doing away with me before then?” Jon’s voice had become hard.

  Felicia laughed. “Don’t be silly, Jon. Of course I wasn’t planning on doing you in. What would make you think that?”

  “It might have something to do with you taking Davey to visit a place you’ve never been, without a proper escort—or is there something else I don’t know?”

  For the first time, Brand noticed her smile falter. White teeth worried her bottom lip. The tension in the room increased. The silence stretched for a few moments, then her eyes lit up.

  “You could come along too,” she said brightly, rising to her feet. “Then you wouldn’t have Amanda stalking your every move.” Her attempt at lightening the tension only partially succeeded. “I’ll send Davey over this afternoon.” And with a brilliant smile which encompassed both Jon and Brand, she hurried out of the room.

  Jon sat back in his chair with a groan.

  Brand watched her sail out the door and knew he was grinning like a fool. She was incredible. Incredibly young and naive, that is. No woman dared to travel alone, especially one so young, and unmarried. She must have lost her mind. Still, he couldn’t help but admire her aplomb, and found himself chuckling.

  Jon glanced over at him and grimaced. “You’re a fine one to be laughing. I should have told her who you were.”

  “Would it have mattered?” She hadn’t seemed like a young woman who would fall over someone for a title and the earl’s next words confirmed it.

  “No,” he sighed. “But she might have been more interested in you because she is well acquainted with the rest of your family. Amanda, her bosom bow, happens to be your niece of sorts.”

  “Niece of sorts? I can’t imagine either of my siblings would have produced a girl old enough to be stalking you.”

  “She’s your sister’s stepdaughter, but since she considers Edward her uncle, you would probably be cast in the same role.”